Grand Slam champions Garbine Muguruza and Simona Halep have joined the Credit One Charleston Open player list, as the 2022 field is shaping up to be one of the tournament’s strongest.
Tournament director Bob Moran is eager to welcome the former top-ranked players:
Garbine has had an amazing year, culminating in her historic title win at the season-ending WTA Finals. Simona is a player we have been looking forward to welcoming to Charleston for years, so we are excited to have her finally joining us in 2022. It’s going to be a big year for our tournament and these two players will certainly elevate the competition.
Muguruza captured three titles in 2021 and ended the year ranked world No.3. The 2022 Credit One Charleston Open will be the 28-year-old’s third time competing in the Lowcountry. Throughout her 2021 season, she reached three quarterfinals, five finals and captured three titles at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, Chicago Fall Tennis Classic and Akron WTA Finals Guadalajara, where she won her tenth career title – her biggest hardcourt title ever – and became the first Spanish woman to win the WTA Finals.
Muguruza is the 2017 Wimbledon champion and 2016 Roland Garros champion. She also reached the 2020 Australian Open final and 2015 Wimbledon final.
The Spaniard can’t wait to come back to Charleston:
It’s one of the favorite stops on the tour for a reason. I obviously feel at home on clay courts and look forward to seeing everyone at the tournament.
Halep will play the Credit One Charleston Open for the first time in 2022. The world No.20 holds 22 career WTA titles and is the 2019 Wimbledon champion and 2018 Roland Garros champion. Halep finished within the WTA’s Top 5 rankings seven years in a row, from 2014 to 2020.
The Romanian is really looking forward to finally making her Charleston debut:
I was signed up to play in 2020 and then unfortunately the pandemic hit and I didn’t get the chance. I have heard so many great things about both the city and the tournament, so I can’t wait to get there and make my debut on the green clay.
Halep’s 2021 season included three quarterfinals appearances at the Gippsland Trophy, Australian Open and the VTB Kremlin Cup, two semifinals appearances at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix and Upper Austria Ladies Linz and a finals berth at the Transylvania Open. She won three titles in 2020 in Dubai, Prague and Rome. In addition to her two Grand Slam titles, the 30-year-old was a 2010 Australian Open finalist and Roland Garros finalist in 2017 and 2014.
The largest women’s-only tennis tournament in North America has already confirmed the participation of Paula Badosa, Belinda Bencic, Leylah Fernandez, Madison Keys and Sloane Stephens.
The event will celebrate its 50th year in 2022, April 2–10, in the renovated and modernized Credit One Stadium on Daniel Island in Charleston, South Carolina. The city-owned venue is undergoing upgrades to enhance the stadium experience for patrons, performers, tennis players and event management, allowing the venue to attract world-class athletes and talent.
The tournament has been a pioneer in women’s professional sports since 1973, paving the path for female tennis players to receive equal recognition, respect and pay in the sport. Originally held on Hilton Head Island, the event moved to Charleston in 2001.
When purchasing tickets for the 2022 Credit One Charleston Open, patrons have the option to choose from single session tickets ($25+) and a range of upgraded ticket packages and seat offerings, including the Intro Package ($280), Finale Package ($360), Champions Package ($275) and Tournament Long Package ($600+). Packages provide exclusive and premier views of the court from 100 and 200 level stadium seating, as well as the best value on tickets. In addition, select packages will also offer tennis patrons shaded seating, a new feature this year as part of the renovated stadium’s stage house.
Tickets and packages can be purchased online at creditonecharlestonopen.com or by calling (843) 856-7900. For additional information, please email tickets@charlestontennisllc.com. For more information on the Credit One Charleston Open, visit creditonecharlestonopen.com or call 843-856-7900.
